Modular communications apparatus and method

Abstract

Briefly, and in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a modular device for providing wireless services and a network of such devices. The modular device may include one or more modules including, but not limited to, a module for providing cell phone services, a module for providing conditioned power to other modules included in the modular device, a module for presenting wireless networking services, a module for bridging to other modular devices arranged in a network, a module for monitoring physical phenomena such as air quality, a module for providing public services such as public service announcements, and a module for storing data. Some embodiments include an integrated enclosure.

1 . A modular device for wireless communications, comprising: 
 a first module capable of communicating wirelessly to an electronic device;    at least one second module; and    a bus providing data communication and power transmission between said second module and said first module.    
   
   
       2 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said second module is: 
 a provisioning module capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more subscriber units;    a power module capable of providing electrical power to said modular device;    a bridge module capable of communicating with another said modular device;    a network access module;    a monitor module capable of monitoring at least one physical phenomenon;    a position module capable of determining the location of said modular device;    a data storage module capable of storing digital data for later retrieval; or    a multimedia module capable of presenting audiovisual information.    
   
   
       3 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said power module comprises a battery for storing electrical energy and an electronic circuit for conditioning the voltage and current.  
   
   
       4 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said bridge module communicates wirelessly.  
   
   
       5 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said bridge module communicates via an electrical conductor.  
   
   
       6 . The modular device of  claim 5 , wherein said electrical conductor is: 
 an electric power line;    a fiber optic cable;    a coaxial cable;    a telephone line; or    a dedicated electrical conductor.    
   
   
       7 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said position module determines the location of said modular device by using a satellite navigation system.  
   
   
       8 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one physical phenomenon is: 
 a weather phenomenon;    an ambient air temperature;    an internal temperature of the modular device;    a particulate content of ambient air; or    a pollutant content of ambient air.    
   
   
       9 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said monitor module comprises a camera.  
   
   
       10 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said provisioning module is adapted to accept a plurality of electronic cards, wherein each said electronic card is configured to support a pre-selected wireless communications protocol.  
   
   
       11 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said provisioning module is adapted to communicate with a communications satellite.  
   
   
       12 . The modular device of  claim 11 , wherein said provisioning module further comprises an antenna adapted to communicate with said communications satellite.  
   
   
       13 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said multimedia module presents multimedia information using a visual display or a speaker attached to said multimedia module.  
   
   
       14 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said multimedia module presents multimedia information using a visual display or a speaker detached from said multimedia module.  
   
   
       15 . The modular device of  claim 2 , wherein said multimedia module further comprises a call box or an external communications link.  
   
   
       16 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said first module is: 
 a provisioning module capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more subscriber units;    a bridge module capable of communicating with another said modular device; or a network access module.    
   
   
       17 . The modular device of  claim 1 , further comprising a weather resistant housing.  
   
   
       18 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said bus is adapted to conduct electrical power.  
   
   
       19 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said bus conducts data via an Internet protocol.  
   
   
       20 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said second module is removable.  
   
   
       21 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said modular device aggregates one or more communications sources for communication through a single telecommunications carrier.  
   
   
       22 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said modular device aggregates communications of one or more protocols through a single protocol and telecommunications carrier.  
   
   
       23 . The modular device of  claim 1 , further comprising a structure adapted to support said bus, said power module, and at least one said second module.  
   
   
       24 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said first module further comprises a structure adapted to support at least one said second module.  
   
   
       25 . The modular device of  claim 1 , wherein said modular device is adapted to be supported by a fixed structure, pole, building, or cable.  
   
   
       26 . The modular device of  claim 1 , furtherer comprising an electronic circuit adapted to communicate with a low-earth orbit satellite, whereby configuration commands may be transmitted to the modular device via said low-earth orbit satellite.  
   
   
       27 . The modular device of  claim 26 , wherein said low-earth orbit satellite is a global positioning system satellite.  
   
   
       28 . A communications network,comprising a plurality of said modular a plurality of said modular devices of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       29 . A communication network, comprising: 
 a plurality of nodes, each node comprising a modular communication device adapted to aggregate data from one or more wireless data sources and communicate said data to another node, wherein said modular communication device comprises:    a first module capable of communicating wirelessly to an electronic device;    one or more second modules; and    a bus providing data communication and power transmission between at least one said second module and said first module.    
   
   
       30 . The communication network of  claim 29 , wherein said data sources comprise a subscriber unit.  
   
   
       31 . The communication network of  claim 29 , wherein said data sources comprise said modular communication device.  
   
   
       32 . The communication network of  claim 29 , wherein at least one said modular communication device is configured to communicate said data with a non-network device.  
   
   
       33 . The communication network of  claim 32 , wherein said non-network device is a communication satellite.  
   
   
       34 . The communication network of  claim 32 , wherein said modular communications device communicates with said non-network device via a wireless communications, broadband over power line, or telephone line.  
   
   
       35 . The communications network of  claim 29 , wherein each node communicates to another node using a communications channel selected from the group consisting of a cellular communications channel, a wired telephone channel, broadband over power lines channel, or a wireless networking channel.  
   
   
       36 . A method for providing communication services, comprising the steps of: 
 determining communication services required for a pre-selected site;    adapting a modular communications device to provide said communication services by installing modules or removing modules from said modular communications device;    installing said modular communications device at said pre-selected site;    selecting a primary communications channel from among a set of at least one communication channels; and    aggregating said communication services to said primary communications channel.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of selecting said modules from the group consisting of a provisioning module, a power module, a network access module, a bridge module, a monitor module, a position module, a data storage module, and a multimedia module.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of establishing a command channel with a satellite.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of: 
 determining the geographic location of said modular communications device, wherein the modular communications device determines its geographic location by use of a satellite navigation system.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the primary communications channel comprises a communications satellite.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the primary communications channel is selected from the group consisting of a cellular communications channel, a wired telephone channel, broadline over power lines channel, or a wireless networking channel.  
   
   
       42 . A modular communications device, comprising: 
 means for adapting said modular communications device to provide pre-selected communication services by installing modules or removing modules from said modular communications device;    means for selecting said modules from the group of consisting of a provisioning module, a power module, a network access module, a bridge module, a monitor module, a position module, a data storage module, and a multimedia module;    means for installing said modular communications device at said pre-selected site; and    means for aggregating said communication services to a communications channel.    
   
   
       43 . A modular communications device, comprising: 
 a first module capable of communicating wirelessly to an electronic device, wherein the first module is: 
 a module capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more subscriber units,  
 a module capable of wirelessly communicating with another said modular device,  
 or a module capable of acting as a hub for users of wireless services to connect to a network;  
   one or more second modules, wherein each said second module is: 
 a module adapted to provide electrical power to said first module,  
 a module adapted to monitor at least one physical phenomenon,  
 a module adapted to determine the location of said modular device,  
 a module adapted to enable a person to summon aid,  
 a module adapted to enable a public service function,  
 a module adapted to present multimedia information,  
 or a module adapted to digital data for later retrieval; and  
   a bus providing data communication and power transmission between at least one said second module and said first module;    wherein said first module includes a structure adapted to support at least one said second module and housing.    
   
   
       44 . A communications network, comprising a plurality of said modular devices of  claim 43.